AFCON
Ahead of AFCON Draw: It’s Destination Morocco, Where Sports Flow in Royal Veins
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Kunle Solaja at the indoor training pitch of Mohammed VI Football Complex, Rabat.
The clock ticks down to 18h00 GMT on Monday when the draw for the final competition of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat.
Then the roadmap would have been laid for the first Africa Cup of Nations to be held in December and spilling to the following year.
It triggers the series of football competitions that the Kingdom of Morocco will hold this year.
The kingdom has always been the sports destination on the continent. Great thanks to the facilities that Morocco has put in place.
From great stadiums to world-class hotels, and efficient communication and transportation systems, Morocco offers a plug-and-play scenario making it the ultimate destination for hosting events, even at short notice.
One of the outlandish facilities is the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
It was founded in 2009 in Salé, on the instigation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, in his letter to the National Sports Conference held in Skhirat on October 24, 2008.
In this Royal letter, His Majesty the King called for the development of a modern and efficient system to organize the sports sector based on the restructuring of the national sports landscape and the upgrading of sports.
The Mohammed VI Football Academy, the jewel that produces Moroccan stars, was built according to criteria that correspond to the best international standards in terms of training centers in order to put in place the conditions for the training of Moroccan talents, enabling them to play in the biggest soccer clubs, whether in Morocco or in Europe.
One of the items that catches the attention at the vast entry lounge is a huge framed picture of the reception accorded the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winning team of Morocco.
The reception of the AFCON winning team of Morocco in 1976. In the middle and wearing a blue suit is Prince Mohammed who is today, King Mohammed VI.
All the players in the picture wore maroon-coloured suits. In the middle of the group picture is a young boy, then 13. He wore a blue suit and a striped tie.
That was the then Prince Mohammed who is today, King Mohammed VI. The magnificent football complex in Rabat is named after him.
Information gathered that there are three more such football training complexes, though on a lower scale, in Morocco while others are still being planned.
King Mohammed’s association with sports, especially football therefore predated his ascension to the throne on 23 July 1999 upon the passing on of his father, King Hassan II.
Football in Morocco has blossomed under King Mohammed VI. In 2022, Moroccan clubs were holders of both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Women’s football has received a big boost as the Moroccan women’s team made a debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Before King Mohammed VI’s reign, the Moroccan women’s team was like a punching bag in the African Women’s Championship.
For instance, the team was pummelled 8-0 by Nigeria on 17 October 1998. But in 2022, Nigeria’s Super Falcons struggled in vain and were eliminated by Morocco in the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
King Mohammed VI was born on 21 August 1963, the day the Nigeria Football Federation (Founded 1933, though they seemed not aware) clocked 30.
He is not the only royal person interested in sports. The imposing Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat is named after an uncle of King Mohammed VI, indicating the royal family’s strong obsession with sports.
Another indication could be gleaned from the picture of the trophy presentation to Real Madrid when the Spanish giants won the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.
The trophy was presented by Prince Moulay Al Hassan, the Crown Prince of Morocco. At the time he was making the trophy presentation, he was 11 years old.
King Mohammed VI’s passion for football is legendary. When Morocco won the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, coach Isaam Charai at the post-match conference rightly credited the Moroccan monarch, King Mohammed VI, as the inspiration for the astronomic rise in Moroccan football standard.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Ranking among Africa’s top six teams in last December’s FIFA Ranking has landed Nigeria in Pot 1 which consists of Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Consequently, the Super Eagles will not be pitched against any of the other teams in Pot 1.
But a potential clash with Nigeria’s new head coach’s country, Mali looms. Mali is on Pot 2 along with at least two other Super Eagles’ tough rivals, Cameroon and South Africa along with Tunisia DR Congo and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria’s new manager, Éric Sékou Chelle famously led Mali to beat Nigeria in a friendly match last year in Morocco.
It was the first time in 50 years that Mali had beaten Nigeria. Before then, the last time they met was at the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria, under coach Stephen Keshi who had previously coached Mali, won 4-1.
Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the Moses Mabhida-Stadium Durban, South Africa. -AFP-photo
Nigeria is destined to face any of those six countries. Pot 3 which also contains six teams harbours Benin Republic with which Nigeria has been having recurring fixtures lately. Both were pitted together in both the 2026 World Cup qualifying series and the preliminary competition that produced the 24 teams of Morocco 2025.
Were it to be the World Cup where teams that had met in the qualifying series are separated, both Nigeria and the Benin Republic will not be in the same final group.
But CAF seems not applying such a principle as happened in Cote d’Ivoire 2023. Both Nigeria and Guinea Bissau were put in the same group despite having been in the same qualifying group.
Should Nigeria and Benin be pitted together, the two neighbouring teams will be meeting five times since last year.
The Pot 4 is the only one in which Nigeria have no special link except with Zimbabwe who are in the same World Cup qualifying group with Nigeria.
The pot contains Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The Draw Ceremony will take place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, on Monday evening.
Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal.
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
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Several African Legends will attend the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Final draw, including Essam El Hadary, Patrick Mboma, Aymen Mathlouthi and Gervinho, when the event is staged at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, 27 January.
The Legends have written their names into the history books as great ambassadors for their countries and African football as a whole and will bring added gravitas to the star-studded event that gets underway at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT | 20h00 Cairo).
The rich history of the AFCON has been built on great performances and feats of brilliance in the past, and the Legends who will be in Rabat have certainly played their part.
ESSAM EL HADARY (EGYPT)
The goalkeeper has a unique place in football history as the oldest player at a FIFA World Cup, aged 45 years and 161 days when he competed for Egypt at the finals in Russia.
His career with the Pharaohs spanned an incredible 22 years from his debut in 1996 to 2018, and saw him win 159 caps.
At the AFCON finals, he was in Egypt’s winning squads in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and also won three CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly.
PATRICK MBOMA (CAMEROON)
Mboma was African Footballer of the Year in 2000 after playing a pivotal role for Cameroon as they won the AFCON, which was co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
Mboma scored in the semi-final and final and was back on the winners’ podium in Mali two years later as the Indomitable Lions won again.
He competed in four AFCON finals, netting 11 goals. Mboma also won Olympic gold with Cameroon in Sydney in 2000 and competed at two World Cup finals.
MOMO SISSOKO (MALI)
Sissoko played for Mali at the AFCON finals in 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2013, where they finished in third place in the latter tournament. He also scored a goal in the opening game in 2004 against Kenya.
His illustrious club career took in stints at Valencia, Liverpool, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, and his honours include both a LaLiga and Ligue 1 title.
CHRISTOPHER KATONGO (ZAMBIA)
Katongo was Player of the Tournament at the 2012 AFCON finals where he captained Zambia to their first continental title.
He was among the players who successfully netted a kick in the post-match penalty shootout in the final against Cote d’Ivoire.
He scored at four separate AFCON tournaments from 2006 to 2012 and played professionally in South Africa, where he won the Golden Boot, Denmark and in the German Bundesliga.
AYMEN MATHLOUTHI (TUNISIA)
Nicknamed “Balbouli”, he kept goal for Tunisia at four AFCON finals in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017. He was also in the squad for the finals in 2008 and 2013.
In a distinguished career with Etoile du Sahel, he won both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, and helped Tunisia to success in the 2011 African Nations Championship in Sudan.
Mathlouthi also played at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.
GERVINHO (COTE D’IVOIRE)
Gervais Yao Kouassi was among the most exciting footballers of his generation and an AFCON winner with the Elephants in 2015.
He competed at five tournaments in total from 2008 to 2015, also finishing as runner-up in 2012.
He was in the Ivorian team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and scored twice at the 2014 finals in Brazil.
At club level, he is fabled for his part in helping unfashionable Lille win Ligue 1 in 2011 before going onto play at Arsenal and Roma.
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Morocco is setting the stage for an unforgettable 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with preparations reaching fever pitch, four days before the Final Draw is held in Rabat on Monday.
Known for its rich football heritage and proven track record in hosting global events, the North African nation is ready to deliver a spectacular showcase of African football.
A Legacy of World-Class Stadiums
Morocco boasts a collection of state-of-the-art stadiums that have hosted prestigious tournaments, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The iconic Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, set to play a central role in AFCON 2025, is steeped in history, having hosted the 1988 AFCON final.
In Rabat, the Moulay Abdellah Stadium is undergoing expansion to increase its capacity, ensuring fans have an unparalleled viewing experience.
The Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier and the Marrakech Stadium are poised to host crucial matches, offering modern amenities and vibrant atmospheres.
Further south, the Adrar Stadium in Agadir combines cutting-edge facilities with breathtaking surroundings, making it a fan favourite.
Seamless Travel and Accommodation
Morocco’s impressive infrastructure ensures smooth travel and convenience for fans.
With a robust network of international airports in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, fans from across the globe can easily reach the host cities.
Major airlines, including Royal Air Maroc, facilitate seamless connectivity.
The country’s advanced train system, featuring the high-speed Al Boraq line, links key cities, making inter-city travel both fast and comfortable.
An extensive network of highways and public transportation further supports efficient mobility.
Fans can also look forward to a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly stays, ensuring comfort for all visitors.
A Proven Host for Global Football
Morocco’s hosting of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023 underscores its expertise in organizing world-class tournaments.
The country’s football infrastructure and passionate fan base have made it a natural choice for AFCON 2025 and a joint host for the FIFA 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
The Road to December 2025
The 2025 AFCON will see 24 teams from across the continent compete for glory, with Morocco’s Atlas Lions leading the charge as the host nation.
Following their historic performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, Morocco is determined to set a new benchmark for African football tournaments.
A Celebration of African Football
Scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the 2025 AFCON promises to be a celebration of African talent, culture, and unity.
With its world-class facilities, unparalleled hospitality, and a nation united by a passion for football, Morocco is ready to deliver the 2025 AFCON that will resonate across the continent and beyond.
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